This course will take the student through the basics of visual development: from visual storytelling to character design; from creatures to environment design. Beginning with simple visual elements, the student will learn how to create images that tell a story visually, as well as support a production in animation, live action, and video games.

schedule

This course is in adaptive mode
and is open for enrollment.
Learn more about adaptive courses
here.

Session 1:
Visual Components
(January 23, 2019)

In this session we will analyze the visual components within character design.

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Below you will find an overview of the Learning Outcomes you will achieve as you complete this course.

Asset 30

Importance of Shape

Ability to utilize simple, underlying, geometric shapes that capture the character's personality and place in the story.

Asset 31

Importance of Gesture

Ability to create a line of action or gesture that captures the movement and action of a character or creature.

Asset 32

Importance of Space

Understanding of a grid, receding planes, and values to create a sense of believable depth in your environment.

Instructors & Guests

Ken Spirduso

Instructor

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (Illustration). Ken Spirduso grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and attended Atelier Lack in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After earning his BFA from the University of Kansas, he received a scholarship to study in Great Britain, where he graduated with Highest Distinction.
For two years, Ken worked as a layout artist with Sullivan/Bluth Animation in Dublin, Ireland. He worked for ten years at Walt Disney Feature Animation-Florida as a layout artist, designing environments, camera movement, and lighting, and two years as a background artist, painting backgrounds in acrylic and Photoshop. His credits include The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo and Stitch and Brother Bear. When the studio closed in 2004, Ken began working as a freelance illustrator and muralist with Walt Disney Imagineering, and as a senior concept artist with the game developer, n-Space.
Ken has built and taught online courses for the Academy of Art University and Veritas Press Scholars Academy. He has also taught in the classroom with the Orlando Museum of Art, the Lynchburg Academy and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Please note: Taking part in a Kadenze course as a Premium Member, does not affirm that the student has been enrolled or accepted for enrollment by Ringling College of Art and Design.

Peer Assessment Code of Conduct: Part of what makes Kadenze a great place to learn is our community of students. While you are completing your Peer Assessments, we ask that you help us maintain the quality of our community. Please:

Be Polite. Show your fellow students courtesy. No one wants to feel attacked - ever. For this reason, insults, condescension, or abuse will not be tolerated.

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Please understand that posts which violate this Code of Conduct harm our community and may be deleted or made invisible to other students by course moderators. Students who repeatedly break these rules may be removed from the course and/or may lose access to Kadenze.

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Starting Soon

These certificates are shareable proof that you completed an online course and are a great way to help you land that new job or promotion, apply to college, or simply share your achievements with the world.

Kadenze has partnered with Ringling College of Art and Design to offer this course for 3 college credits.*

*Upon completion, this rigorous college-level course will provide credits that are recognized and transferable from the partnering institution. Credit as workload and transferability is defined by the granting institution. Participation in these courses does not represent an acceptance decision or admission from the institution that offers them.